CLASSIC TV organisation Kaleidoscope has unveiled its latest list of finds made as part of its annual Raiders of the Lost Archives campaign, detailing all the missing British TV and radio material located in the last 12 months by the group along with the BBC, ITV, BFI and determined enthusiasts.
In addition, there are the fruits of the “Lost Shows Appeal” to reveal. Launched by missing episode hunter Charles Norton back in June of this year to tie in Kaleidoscope’s http://www.lostshows.com website, the appeal has proved a big success in tracking down recordings of otherwise lost TV and radio shows that until recently only resided in the lofts, sheds and cupboards of the general public.
Thanks to the two initiatives a wealth of long-lost shows, interviews and excerpts have been located both as audio and visual recordings.
Highlights of the Kaleidoscope Raiders’ list (spanning October 2010 to November 2011) include the Frankie Howerd Audio Archive, finds held by the Tim Disney Archive (including Sir Ian McKellen’s first TV appearance in BBC series Kipling), the latest BSB recoveries made by Ian Greaves, and comedy gems from the Graham Webb Audio Archive including the soundtracks to wiped editions of World of Beachcomber; Peter Cook’s ill-fated chat show, Where Do I Sit?; sitcom No, That’s Me Over Here, starring Ronnie Corbett; Broaden Your Mind; Monty Python precursor At last the 1948 Show; The Frost Report and many, many others.
Mention should also go to Wiped News’s columnist Ray Langstone, who, incredibly, has been responsible for over 100 finds during the last 12 months. Well done, Ray!
Meanwhile, the Lost Shows Appeal has also delivered a bumper crop of archive material to get excited about, including a massive haul of material that has been donated courtesy of the estate of late radio producer John Fawcett Wilson, and a large quantity of unedited
(audio-only) television studio recordings and production tapes including editions of The Old Grey Whistle Test, Lulu, The Rolf Harris Show, International Cabaret, and The Morcambe and Wise Show.
Other finds include rare episodes of Radio Luxembourg’s 1950s’ Dan Dare serial and interviews with figures such as Benny Hill, Peter Sellers, film director Lindsay Anderson and Doctor Who star Jon Pertwee.
Already some more of this year’s rediscovered material is on its way to find new audiences. Episodes from the BBC’s 1967 Sexton Blake radio series are due to be released by BBC Audiobooks early next year.
So without further ado, here are the full lists for the Raiders of the Lost Archives 2010 – 11 and the Lost Shows Appeal 2011.
Wiped News 
I’m only even partly responsible for 86 finds, and on my own a fair few less than that!
Much discovery and recovery work is teamwork these days, but I’m delighted to have helped find these long-lost gems.
Hopefully I can write about my finds of the year soon!
It’s not just Dr Who, you know, but I’m glad of the publicity we get for the cause!
Anyone know where I can get a copy of Dan Dare. I’m a historian of all things Radio Luxembourg
Hi Alan, I too would love a copy of a 208 Dan Dare programme. The list at http://wiped.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/lostshowsappeal2011.pdf shows 2, one virtually unlistenable and one not to be released without prior agreement. I have written to Wiped requesting information on either or both but have not had a reply. Have you had any response to your query. The only thing I have run to earth is the theme and incidental music CD by the Queens Hall Light Orchestra. Roger
Yes, I did get a reply (sort of). I wanted part of it for a BBC documentary about Radio Luxembourg. The music is available (library music) and some episodes are from later BBC recordings made by the BBC.
“I’m very sorry that you didn’t get a reply from the Wiped News site. I don’t actually have any practical involvement in that site. It’s run by somebody called Anthony Harvison. I’m afraid your earlier message never reached me.
Unfortunately I really can’t pass on any recorded material to you for your private collection. I’m very sorry, but it would be a serious copyright breach and as this is an officially sanctioned project, I can’t really do anything ‘under the counter’ either. Providing material to a third party without the written consent of the copyright holder is simply against the law. Even giving material to Radio Two would only be done after proper copyright clearances had been obtained from RTL and the Dan Dare Corporation. I’m afraid this is all common practice.
I’m sorry I can’t be of more help, as I know how much a lot of fans would love to hear this stuff. However, rest assured, I am doing what I can to get this out to the public through official channels, maybe on CD or download. I have been speaking to various bodies within and outside the BBC, to this end.
Charles Norton”
That’s all the news that I’ve got and very sorry I can’t help further.
Alan.
Thanks for your response and explanation of the situation anyway.
The shining example of our own great BBC has I feel sure guided their footsteps towards avoiding any austerity – bravo